Yingli Green Energy (YGE) is one of the oldest Chinese companies and is completely integrated. One of the world’s first fully vertically integrated photovoltaic manufacturers, the company develops, manufactures and sells high-quality modules under the brand Yingli Solar to a wide range of markets including Germany, Spain, Italy, Greece, France, South Korea, China, and the United States. The company is headquartered in Baoding, China with over 11,000 employees worldwide & more than 10 branch offices globally. The business model covers the entire PV value chain, from polysilicon production to the assembly of modules. Yingli Green Energy (YGE) is one of our top picks to buy in 2013. This Chinese company provides modules at cheap prices.

Canadian Solar (CSIQ) is a vertically integrated company, providing ingots, wafers, solar cells, solar modules, solar power systems and specialized solar products. Headquartered in Canada, the company has factories in China and Ontario with wide customer base covering over 50 countries. Canadian Solar also offers customized PV products and OEM service around the world. The company sells panels at quite cheap prices.

Distinguishing Features between Canadian Solar and Yingli Solar Modules

Classification of Solar Modules and Available Models

Yingli Solar panels are divided into: 1) Monocrystalline: PANDA 48 and 60 cell series 2) Multicrystalline: YGE 48, 60 and 72 cell series and iii) Off-grid modules: YLSYS 300, 800, 1200 and 1600 series.

Yingli solar panels can also be conveniently used for residential, commercial and utility purposes:

i) Residential: PANDA 48 and 60 cell series and YGE 48 and 60 cell series.

ii) Commercial (Business) : PANDA 60 cell series and YGE 48, 60, 72 cell series

iii) Utility (Power Plants): YGE 60 and 72 cell series.

Canadian Solar modules are both monocrystalline and multicrystalline. The Canadian Solar Modules can be broadly classified into: i) Standard Modules – CS5, CS6, all black CS5A, ii) NewEdge Modules – CS6P-PX and All Black CS5A-MX, iii) e-Modules iv) Quartech Modules – CS6P-P, CS6X-P and iv) BIPV Modules. These modules can be used for both residential and commercial roof-top systems.

Cell Type

The cell types found in Yingli modules is generally 156×156 mm, whereas in Canadian Solar they are  125×125 mm and 156×156 mm.

Weight

Weight for Yingli modules is between 15 kg to 21 kg. Canadian Solar panels have weight in the range of 15.5 kg – 27 kg.

Frame

Anodized aluminium alloy frame is used in Yingli Green solar modules and Canadian Solar panels. The BIPV modules of Canadian Solar have no frame.

Load Resistance

The solar panels from both can withstand upto 5400 pa wind speed and snow load.

Warranty

Canadian Solar Panels come with 10 years product warranty (materials and workmanship) and 25  years linear module power output warranty. Yingli Green Energy modules come with 10 years limited product warranty and limited power warranty of 10 years at 91.2% of minimal rated power output, 25 years at 80.7% of minimal rated power output.

Standards & Certification

Canadian Solar panels come with the top ranked PVUSA (PTC) rating in California for higher energy production. Yingli Green modules are certified under IEC 61215, IEC 61730, MCS, CE, ISO 9001:2008, ISO 14001:2004, BS OHSAS 18001:2007, SA 8000, PV CYCLE.

Read other technical details of solar modules of both the brands here: Canadian Solar and Yingli Green Energy.

Read comparison of other brands here.